Packaging

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to packaging for at least one item, said packaging including a base and a lid and a display assembly, said display assembly provided to move the item located thereon between a first position when the packaging is closed and a second position when the packaging is open and in said second position the item is provided in a position for display.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention to which this application relates is to an improvement in packaging for one or more items and in particular, although not necessarily exclusively, to improvements to packaging in the form of a box with an interior cavity in which the said one or more items are placed, typically to allow the items to be stored and transported to a retail outlet and/or to an end customer at which stage the one or more items are removed from the packaging for connection, if required, and subsequent use.

BACKGROUND

The packaging of items, such as electrical or electronic devices, is well known and the packaging is conventionally provided to be functional in terms of protecting the items therein from damage during the transport of the package and so allow the items held therein to be available for use in an undamaged and pristine condition when the same are removed from the packaging for use.

Conventionally, when electrical devices are the one or more items, the packaging will include a base portion and a lid portion, with the lid portion being separable from the base or alternatively, connected to the base so as to be pivotally movable with respect to the base between open and closed positions. In either case, the base and lid define a cavity within the same and in which the one or more items are located.

Typically, with electrical or electronic devices, and with one example being a broadcast data receiver or “set top box”, a number of items are provided in the packaging and these may comprise a main electrical or electronic device and one or more components which are provided to be selectively usable with the main device such as, for example, cables, plugs, storage media, instruction manuals and the like. It is therefore known to provide, within the cavity, further location means which allow the main electrical device to be retained and located in a specific part of the cavity and for the other components to either be individually located within the cavity or alternatively, located together in a particular and different part of the cavity from the main electrical device. It is important for the protection of the main electrical device and the components, that the same are retained in those positions by additional packaging location means during the transit of the packaging.

While it is found that this type of packaging is effective in maintaining the items in the required locations and hence protecting the same from damage, it is conventionally the case that the location means tend to be unsightly when the customer opens the box by moving the lid from the base, and indeed the location means can mask or hide the main electrical device from view from the customer so that the customer is not immediately aware of the particular form or appearance of the items which are located in the cavity when they first gain access to the same. This therefore means that the initial impact of the new product that they have purchased can be disappointing until all of the location means packaging within the cavity is removed. Furthermore, if one or more of the items which are located within the cavity is incorrect or damaged it can be difficult for the customer to place the same back into the cavity and locate the same using all of the location means in order to allow the item to be safely and securely returned in the packaging to the sender.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the items which are required to be packaged in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2a and b illustrate the packaging in open and closed conditions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3a to c illustrate the movement of a first embodiment of container in accordance with the invention between open and closed conditions.

FIGS. 4a to d illustrate diagrams of the packaging in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 3a to c.

FIGS. 5a to f illustrate sectional views of the packaging of FIGS. 3a to c as the same moves between open and closed conditions;

FIGS. 6a to c illustrate packaging in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7a to d illustrate exploded diagrams of the components of the packaging in accordance with FIGS. 6a to c;

FIGS. 8a to f illustrate sectional views of the packaging of FIGS. 6a to c as it is moved between open and closed positions;

FIGS. 9a to d illustrate views of the holder component of the packaging; and

FIGS. 10a to d illustrate views of the container component of the packaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides packaging for one or more items which allows the items to be located as required within a cavity in the packaging, whilst also allowing the packaging to adapt and/or be adapted between a condition for transit and a condition for display of at least one of the items located in the cavity of the packaging.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided packaging, said packaging including a base and a lid, said base and lid provided in a closed position to define a cavity within which at least one item is located with a display assembly and a portion of said packaging is movable by a person to move the packaging to an open position in which access can be gained to the at least one item and wherein the said at least one item is located in a first position in the packaging when the packaging is in a closed position and in a second position in the packaging when the packaging is in the open position.

In one embodiment, the movement from the first position to the second position is to move the said at least one item in a direction away from a bottom wall of the packaging.

In one embodiment, the display assembly includes a portion which is movable so as to move the item between the first and second positions.

In one embodiment, the said portion is biased towards moving the said at least one item to the second position.

In one embodiment, the biased movement of the portion is possible upon movement of the lid portion of the packaging from the closed position towards the open position.

In one embodiment, to move the item and hence portion of the display assembly to the first position, a physical force is applied via the lid as it is moved to bring the packaging to a closed position.

In one embodiment, retaining means are provided to selectively retain the lid in the closed position with respect to the base.

In an alternative embodiment, the movement of the said portion of the display assembly is caused by the movement of the lid with respect to the base between open and closed positions.

In one embodiment, the said portion which acts to move the item between the first and second positions is located in a holder which, in turn, is located in a container and which, in turn, is located within the base.

In one embodiment, the item is directly located on the portion or, alternatively, is located on a cap which is acted upon by the said portion so as to move the item.

In one embodiment, the packaging includes an area for the location of one or more further items. In one embodiment said area is defined between the underside of the container and internal surfaces of the side wall of the container and the bottom wall of the box.

In one embodiment, the holder is provided to contact with and guide the movement of the item as it is moved under the influence of the portion between first and second positions.

In one embodiment, guide means are provided between the holder and the item so as to ensure that the movement of the item under the influence of the portion is substantially along a single axis.

In one embodiment, the said portion is formed by any, or any combination, of a PU/EPE/EVA material, a spring, or any other material which is capable of being biased towards one of the first or second positions.

In one embodiment, the holder and container are provided with guide means so as to locate the same together and thereby allow further guidance to the movement of the item under the influence of the biased portion and typically restrict movement of the holder with respect to the container so that the same are effectively located as the item is moved under the influence of the biased portion.

Typically, the movement of the item between first and second positions is guided by interaction between the said item and the holder.

In one embodiment, the interaction is as a result of the provision of guide means which allow the guiding movement of part of the item with respect to the holder as it moves between first and second positions.

In one embodiment, the parts of the packaging, apart from the biased portion are formed of card or cardboard material which is creased and folded as required to form the components which are then respectively located to form the item of packaging.

In one embodiment, the movement of the item between first and second positions is such that in the second position a greater part of the item is viewable from the opening into the cavity of the packaging than when the item is in the first position. Typically, this allows the person viewing the cavity to have a greater awareness of the appearance of the item when the same is in the second position and thereby be able to identify the item more clearly as the movement of the portion has the effect of presenting the item towards the person.

In one embodiment the movement of the said portion between first and second positions is repeatable.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a display assembly for an item of packaging, said display assembly including a holder, and a biased portion and wherein said biased portion is provided to act on an item so as to move the item between a first position and a second, display, position with respect to the holder.

Typically, the movement of the item between first and second positions is guided by interaction between the said item and the holder.

In one embodiment, the interaction is as a result of the provision of guide means which allow the guided movement of part of the item with respect to the holder as it moves between first and second positions.

Typically, the movement of the item between said first and second positions is substantially along one, single axis.

In one embodiment, when the item is moved to the second display position, at least a portion of the item is located externally of the holder.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated schematically the items of a product, in this case in the form of a set-top box system for receiving and processing broadcast video and/or audio data. The product includes a main device 2 in the form of a housing which includes processing circuitry and memory, and further items in the form of, for example, power and/or data connection cables 4, instruction manual 6, storage media 8 and remote control device 11, all of which can be selectively used in combination in order to allow the product to function. These items are initially provided in combination, in packaging, in the form of a box, in which the same are transported from the manufacturer to a retail outlet and/or to an end user customer. It is therefore important that these items are held within the cavity of the packaging in a form which allows the same to be prevented from being damaged and also which allows the same to be attractive when accessed by the end customer, who has paid money to purchase and/or use the same.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a packaging box 10 which is shown schematically in FIGS. 2a and b which illustrate a first embodiment of the packaging in a closed position shown in FIG. 2a and an open position as shown in FIG. 2b . The box includes a base portion 12 and a lid portion 14 and to move the packaging between the open and closed positions, the lid portion 14 is pivotally moved as indicated by arrow 16 to move the same about axis 18 such that the lid 14 covers over the top surface 20 of the base 12 when in the closed position and, when removed from the same, exposes a display assembly 22 within the cavity which can receive at least the main device 2 therein as will be described subsequently. Typically the base and lid are formed, in this embodiment, from a common blank of cardboard which is provided with suitable fold and crease lines to allow the side walls, end walls and top and bottom walls to be formed of the required size and shape.

The display assembly 22 can also be formed of cardboard material or, alternatively, other suitable materials could be used such as plastics and the like which are formed of the required shape.

Furthermore, in a second embodiment, the lid 14 can be formed separately from the base 12 and can be moved to and from open and closed conditions with respect to the base by movement of the same along axis 26.

Turning now to FIGS. 3a to c, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the packaging. In FIG. 3c , the packaging box 10 is shown in a closed condition similar to that of FIG. 2a . The packaging will be retained in the closed condition typically throughout the transport of the same and in one embodiment, retaining means are providing to retain the lid in a closed position with respect to the box and the retaining means can be a mechanical arrangement between the lid and the base or can be other forms of temporary retention, such as adhesive tape located between the lid and the base.

FIG. 3a illustrates the box in an open condition in which the lid 14 has been pivotally moved away from the base 12 and also illustrates the display assembly 22 in position in the cavity 24 within the base 12.

FIG. 3b illustrates the packaging in an open condition and shows the item 2 in the form of a set-top box 30 in location in the display assembly 22 within the base 12 and this is the view of the item 30 which would be presented to the customer when they move the lid 14 and hence the packaging box 10 to the open condition.

FIGS. 4a to d illustrate the components of the packaging box 10 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention and show how there is provided the base 12 and lid 14. The display assembly 22 comprises a container 32 which is located in, and retained by, the inner surfaces of the side walls 34 of the base. A holder 36 is then located within the container 32 and the side walls 38 of the holder locate with the side walls 40 of the container. The holder 36, receives therein a portion 52 which locates with the walls 38 of the holder and receives a cap 44 thereon. The cap 44 acts as the surface on which the item 30 is located. The portion 52 is movable between a first, storage, position and a second, display, position and, in this embodiment, is biased towards the second, display position. It will be noted that in FIGS. 4b-d the components are respectively located and moved into position along axis 26 as indicated by arrow 46 such that, as illustrated in FIG. 4d , the components 32, 36, 52 and 44 are assembled to form the display assembly 22 and then this is moved as indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 4c into the base 12. The main device item 30 is moved onto the cap as indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 4 b.

It should also be appreciated that there is provided a space 50 between the bottom face 48 of the base 12 and the underside of the holder 32 and this space or area can be used to receive and locate other items such as items 4, 6, 8, and 11 therein.

FIGS. 6a-8f illustrate a second embodiment of the packaging and the same reference numerals are used for the same components as shown with respect to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6c , the packaging box 10 is shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 6a illustrates the box in an open condition in which the lid 14 has been separated from the base 12 and also illustrates the display assembly 22 in position in the cavity 24 within the base 12.

FIG. 6b illustrates the packaging in an open condition and shows the item 2 in the form of a set-top box 30 in location on the display assembly 22 within the base 12 and this is the view of the item 30 which would be presented to the customer when they remove the lid 14 and hence the packaging box 10 to the open condition.

FIGS. 7a to d illustrate the components of the packaging box 10 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention and show how there is provided the base 12 and lid 14 which is separable from the base. The display assembly 22 comprises a container 32 which is located in, and retained by, the inner surfaces of the side walls 34 of the base. A holder 36 is then located within the container 32 and the side walls 38 of the holder locate with the side walls 40 of the container. The holder 36, receives therein a portion 52 which locates with the walls 38 of the holder and receives a cap 44 thereon. The cap 44 acts as the surface on which the item 30 is located. The portion 52 is movable between a first, storage, position and a second, display, position and, in this embodiment, is biased towards the second, display position. It will be noted that in FIGS. 7b-d the components are respectively located and moved into position along axis 26 as indicated by arrow 46 such that, as illustrated in FIG. 7d , the components 32, 36, 52 and 44 are assembled to form the display assembly 22 and then this is moved as indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 7c into the base 12. The main device item 30 is moved onto the cap 44 as indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 7 a.

It should also be appreciated that there is provided a space 50 between the bottom face 48 of the base 12 and the underside of the holder 32 and this space or area can be used to receive and locate other items such as items 4, 6, 8, and 11 therein.

FIG. 5a-e and 8a-3e illustrate the manner in which the packaging box moves between the first and second positions in respective embodiments.

In FIGS. 5a-b and 8a-b the packing box 10 is shown in the closed position with the lid 14 overlying the base 12 and the portion 52 is compressed within the holder 36 so that the main device 30 is located within the cavity. FIGS. 5c-d and 8c-d illustrate the packaging box in a position which is intermediate the open and closed position. The lid 14 has been partially moved away from the base and as it does so, the biasing force of the portion 52 is such as to cause the depth of the same to increase and, as it does so, it causes the cap 44 and item 30 to move away from the base 12. The FIGS. 5e-f and 8e-f illustrate the packaging box 10 in a fully open position and with the increase in depth of the portion 52 so at least the top portion of the main device 30 is positioned on the cap portion so that it extends beyond the holder 36 and in this embodiment beyond the opening into the base 12 so as to be “presented” and be on display to the user.

The holder 36 and container are shown in more detail in FIGS. 9a-d and FIGS. 10a-d respectively. In FIGS. 9a-d it is again shown how the portion 52 is biased to move from the condition when the box is closed as shown in in FIG. 9d , to an expanded position as shown in FIGS. 9b-c and as the only way for movement of the portion 52 is away from the holder so the same rises and will move the item 30 out of the holder. The cap 44 is provided so as to lie on top of the portion and the side walls or skirt of the cap are guided by the side walls of the holder so as to aid the guided movement of the portion and item along the axis 46. In order to further aid the guided movement a recess 60 is formed in the side wall of the holder. This recess is provided 60 matches with a recess 56 provided on the side wall 40 of the container 32 as shown in FIG. 10a . The matching recesses are provided to receive therein a protrusion 54 in the form in this embodiment of a socket provided as part of the item 30 and so the socket is received in the recesses 56,60 and so act as guide means to guide the sliding movement of the item with respect to the holder and container as it is moved under the influence of the expansion of the portion 52.

FIGS. 10a-c illustrate the top side of the container and the FIG. 10d illustrates the underside of the container in cross section. The parts of the side walls 40 of the container which depend below the bottom wall 58 of the container act to space the bottom wall 58 from the bottom wall of the base 12 of the box 10 and so define the area 50 in which the other components are located. This also acts to maintain the spacing between the bottom wall 58 of the container and the top of the base 12 so that the action of the expansion of the portion 52 will always move the item 30 thereon to the second position. The base wall 58 of the container can also be provided with formations 64 to aid with the engagement of the holder 36 therewith and/or other components therewith. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Packaging, said packaging including a base and a lid, said base and lid provided in a closed position to define a cavity within which at least one item is located with a display assembly and a portion of said packaging is movable by a person to move the packaging to an open position in which access can be gained to the at least one item and wherein the said at least one item is located in a first position in the packaging when the packaging is in a closed position and in a second position in the packaging when the packaging is in the open position.
 2. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the movement from the first position to the second position is to move the said at least one item in a direction away from a bottom wall of the packaging.
 3. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the display assembly includes a portion which is movable to move the item between the first and second positions.
 4. Packaging according to claim 3 wherein the said portion is biased towards moving the said at least one item to the second position.
 5. Packaging according to claim 4 wherein the biased movement of the portion is possible upon movement of the lid of the packaging from the closed position towards the open position.
 6. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein to move the item and hence portion of the display assembly to the first position, a physical force is applied via the lid as it is moved to bring the packaging to a closed position.
 7. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein retaining means are provided to selectively retain the lid in the closed position with respect to the base.
 8. Packaging according to claim 3 wherein the movement of the said portion of the display assembly is caused by the movement of the lid with respect to the base between open and closed positions.
 9. Packaging according to claim 3 wherein the said portion which acts to move the item between the first and second positions is located in a holder which, in turn, is located in a container and which, in turn, is located within the base of the packaging.
 10. Packaging according to claim 9 wherein the item is located on a cap which is acted upon by the said portion so as to move the item.
 11. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the packaging includes an area for the location of one or more further items.
 12. Packaging according to claim 9 wherein the holder is provided to contact with and guide the movement of the item as it is moved under the influence of the portion between first and second positions.
 13. Packaging according to claim 12 wherein guide means are provided on the holder and/or container to ensure that the movement of the item under the influence of the portion is substantially along a single axis.
 14. Packaging according to claim 3 wherein the portion is formed of or includes a resilient compressible material and/or a spring.
 15. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the movement of the item between first and second positions is such that in the second position a greater part of the item is viewable from an opening into the cavity of the packaging than when the item is in the first position.
 16. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the movement of the said item between said first and second positions is repeatable.
 17. A display assembly for an item of packaging, said display assembly including a holder, and a biased portion and wherein said biased portion is provided to act on an item so as to move the item between a first position and a second, display, position with respect to the holder.
 18. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein the movement of the item between first and second positions is guided by interaction between the said item and the holder via guide means which allow the guided movement of part of the item with respect to the holder as it moves between first and second positions.
 19. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein the movement of the item between said first and second positions is substantially along one, single axis.
 20. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein when the item is moved to the second, display position, at least a portion of the item is located externally of the holder. 